Retrieving line mechanism



May 13, 1969 LOPLEZ 3,443,698

RETRIEVING LINE MECHANISM Filed March 29, 1967 Sheet 4? of 2 INVENTOR.

Wrffifi LUIS I Q. 4:

il /away United States Patent 3,443,698 RETRIEVING LINE MECHANISM Martin Luis Lopez, 225 S. th Ave., La Puente, Calif. 91746 Filed Mar. 29, 1967, Ser. No. 626,746 Int. Cl. B66c 23/00; F16h 37/06; B66d 1/26 U.S. Cl. 212-9 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A retrieving cable mechanism having apparatus for steel lines, and power lines for supplying operating power to a power operated device, carried by the hoisting line of a crane, the lines being adapted to be wound on and unwound from respective portions of said apparatus. The mechanics also has a power operated variable speed mechanism for one of the steel lines whereby the apparatus is operated.

This invention relates generally to cranes and relates more particularly to line control means or mechanism.

While the invention has particular utility embodied in cranes, and is shown and described thus embodied, it is to be understood that its utility is not confined thereto.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention comprises a piggyback apparatus on the boom of a crane, the piggyback apparatus having a drum for steel lines and an electric line adapted to supply electric current to an electromagnet carried by the hoisting line of a crane. The drum has respective parts, one being for the steel line from the drum of a power operated mechanism having speed control means. Another part of the drum is for a steel line to the electromagnet to pull same toward the crane. A third part of the drum is for the electric line or cable for supplying current to the electromagnet. There is means incorporated in the drum of the piggyback apparatus whereby the electric line on the drum has rotatable contacts with non-rotatable contacts adapted to be connected to a source of electric current.

The means for operating the drum includes an operating drum for the steel line whereby the piggyback drum is operated, the operating drum being actuated from a source of power through a power transmission system which includes a differential gear mechanism output speed of which is controlled by a piston mechanism with variable means controlling resistance to the operation of said pistons.

There are situations which require the placing of the electromagnet forwardly of the boom of the crane and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that will do this, as will be described hereinafter.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are further sufiiciently referred to in connection with the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings which represent certain embodiments of the mechanism. After considering these examples skilled persons will understand that many variations may be made without departing from the principles disclosed and I contemplate the employment of any structures, arrangements or modes of operation that are properly within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a crane having mechanism embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

3,443,698 Patented May 13, 1969 FIG. 3 is a similar view of an alternative arrangement; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the drum apparatus.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a crane having a platform 10 on which is mounted a source of power 12 which may be any suitable well known type of engine such as, for example, a diesel engine, not shown, the engine driving a hoist drum 14.

There is a boom 14 of the usual well known character pivoted at its lower end on shaft 16 carried by the platform 10, and there is the usual pulley 18 at the upper free end of the boom. A hoist cable 20 is provided on the hoist drum 14. Cable 20 passes over pulley 18 and depends therefrom, the lower end of the hoist cable is an electromagnet 22 which is of well known character so need not be described further, the magnet having the usual electric coils energized by electric current which provides magnetic power when energized.

There is a retrieving cable mechanism which includes a transmission piston, indicated generally at 24, and piggyback apparatus, indicated generally at 26. The piggyback apparatus is mounted within the framework of the boom 14 intermediate the end thereof and as shown as located approximately midway between the ends of said boom. Piggyback apparatus is secured in the boom structure by any suitable means such as bolts or the like, not shown.

Piggyback apparatus 26 comprises a rotatable drum having a hollow axis or shaft 30, the ends of which are mounted in roller bearings 32 operably disposed in bearing housings 3'4 of support members 36 which are secured to the boom by any suitable means such as bolts, not shown. Adjacent the ends of the shaft 30 are annular plates 38 and 40 respectively which have axial openings therein for reception of the shaft '30, said plates being secured to the axle by any suitable means such as welding 42 or the like. Spaced longitudinally inwardly from the plates 38 and 40 are similar plates 44 and 48 and said plates are also secured to the axle by welding or other suitable means. Spacer sleeves 50 and 52 are disposed between the respective plates 38 and 44 and 40 and 48, said spacers being disposed on the axle 30. Between the plates 38 and 44 there is disposed a cylindrical tube '54 which is arranged axially on the shaft 30 and with respect to the plates 38 and 44, said cylindrical tube being secured to the plates 38 and 44 by any suitable means such as welding 56, for example. A similar cylindrical sleeve 58 is secured between the plates 40 and 48 by welding 60 or other suitable means. The cylindrical tubes or sleeves 54 and 58 are substantially larger in diameter than the shaft 30 but are smaller in diameter than the diameter of the plates between which they are secured. Thus is provided drum portion 64 and 66. Between the plates 44 and 48, which are longitudinally spaced apart, is a cylindrical tube 70 which is axially arranged with respect to the axle or shaft 30 and the plates '44 and 48 and is secured to said plates 44 and 48 by any suitable means such as, for example, welding 72 or the like. Cylindrical tube 70 is also of greater diameter than the diameter of the shaft 30 but of smaller diameter than the plates 44 and '48 thereby providing a third drum section indicated generally at 74.

A steel cable 76 is wound on the drum section or portion 64 and extends to the operating drum 78 of the transmission mechanism. A steel cable 80 is wound on the drum section or portion 66 and is connected to the electromagnet 22, as best shown in FIG. 1.

A portion of an electric line or cable 82 is wound on the intermediate drum section or portion 74, a portion of said cable extending to the magnet 22 and being connected to the electric coils thereof in the well known 3 manner. It is to be noted that the steel line 80 and the electric cable or line 82 are normally without material slack, as best shown in FIG. 1.

The cable 82 has the usual two electric wires and the ends of these wires at the drum end of the cable 82 are connected to contacts in a contact box 84 and the respective contacts for said wires are connected to wires 86 and 88 which extend outwardly from box 84.

'Snugly received within the tubular or hollow shaft 30 is a hollow tubular sleeve '90 of insulating material and termed the insulating sleeve. This sleeve 90 is secured snugly within the shaft 30 by any suitable means such as, for example, an adhesive, one such adhesive being an epoxy cement which is of well known character. Within the insulating sleeve are disposed slida'ble inner contact members 92 and 94 respectively which are longitudinally spaced apart and between which is disposed a spring 96 urging said inner contact members outwardly. The contact members 92 and 94 are of the same construction so that a description of one will suflice. For example, the contact member 92 has a concave outer end 100 for operable reception of the convex end 102 of an outer contact member '104 which is fixed against longitudinal movement. Contact member 104 has a reduced diameter outwardly extending stem 106 connected to a wire 108 from a suitable source of power. There is a cap 110 of insulating material having an axial bore 112 in which the stem 106 is operably disposed. The cap 110 has an inwardly projecting portion 114 which has its inner end in abutment with the outer end of the contact 104. Cap 110 has an outwardly extending annular flange 116 secured to the hearing housing by screws 118 thereby providing a seal against the entrance of foreign material from the outside of the mechanism. At the opposite end of the shaft there is a similar arrangement which includes the cap 110 and the fixed contact 104 at the opposite end of the shaft is connected to a wire 120 which also goes to the source of power.

The shaft 30 and sleeve 90 have registered slots therein for each of the wires 86 and 88. The slot in the shaft 34 the wire 86 is provided with a hollow insulating insert 122, the interior of said insert communicating and being aligned with the slot 124 in the insulating sleeve 90. An electrical contact element 126 extends through the insert 22 and slot 124 and is screwed into a tapped bore provided therefor in the movable contact member 92, wire 86 being connected to the electrical contact element 126. This arrangement permits the contact member 92 to move longitudinally and take up wear that might occur between said contact member 92 and the fixed contact member 104. There is a slot arrangement for connecting the Wire 88 to the slidable contact member 94 by means of a contact element 126 of the same character as the contact element 126 for the contact member 92.

Referring to FIG. 2, which shows one arrangement of the transmission system, there is a housing 130 in which is disposed a differential gear system, indicated generally at 132. The gear system 132 includes a differential gear housing 134 having a hollow interior or chamber 136 closed at one end by a plate 138. There is a power input shaft 140 connected to the power source 12, said shaft 140 extending into the chamber 136 and being provided with a bearing 142. At its inner end shaft 140 is provided with the usual small bevelled gear 144 which is meshed with a large bevelled gear 146 to which is connected a yoke 148. The usual bevelled gears 150 and 152 are disposed on a shaft 154 having its ends journaled in the yoke 148. Oppositely arranged larger bevelled gears 156 and 158 are meshed with the gears 150 and 152. Gear 156 is secured to an output shaft 158 which is provided with a bearing 160 and to the outer end of which the control or operating drum 78 is secured. Gear 158 is secured to a shaft 164 which is provided with a bearing 166, said gear 148 bieng rotatable on the output shaft 164. The

- above described transmission mechanism is of well known character and as is well known the restraint on one of the output shafts will result in the other shaft being rotated at a higher speed than when both output shafts are permitted to rotate.

In order to restrain so as to restrict the speed of rotation of shaft 164 or stop it altogether, said shaft 164 is connected to a crank 168 which is shown as being of a double throw type there being a crank part 170 and a crank part 172 arranged oppositely from said crank part 170. Each of the crank parts has a connection with a piston 174 by means of a connecting rod 176, the connection between the connecting rod and piston 174 being of the usual well known character which includes a wrist pin, not shown. Pistons 174 are disposed cylinders 178 each of which is provided with a liner 180 secured therein by any suitable well known means. At the outer end of each cylinder there is a spring retainer 182 against which one end of a spring 1 84 reacts, the other end of said spring reacting against the head of the piston 174. There is a screw 186 threadably disposed in a tapped bore provided therefor in cylinder head 188, the inner end of said screw being disposed in a recess 190 provided therefor in the spring retainer 182. Thus by adjusting the screw 186 the effective force of the springs 1'84 on the pistons 174 is adjusted and the resistance to the outward movement of said pistons is varied to provide the resistance desired to the rotation of the crank and hence the shaft 164 to thereby provide the desired power or pull by the control drum 78.

It is often required to swing the electromagnet 22 forwardly relative to the crane and with the present mechanism this may be done by winding the steel cable 76 further on the drum 78 thereby causing the drum apparat'us 74 to rotate in a direction to effect further .winding of the steel cable 80 on the drum part 40, and winding of the electric cable 82 on the central drum part or section 74, the steel cable and electric cable being wound on substantially the same diameter of cable or line on the drum part 66 and 74. When the electromagnet has been pulled a sufiicient distance toward the boom to effect the desired outward swing the control drum 78 is released from the shaft 158 by means of a clutch 200 of any well known character, said clutch being merely shown diagramatically at 200. The clutch 200 is, of course, normally connected with the shaft 158 so as to drive the control drum 78.

When the control drum 78 is released, the weight of the electromagnet 22 will cause it to swing outwardly and rotate the drum apparatus 74 to wind the line 76 on the part 64 of the drum mechanism and unwind the steel line 80 from the drum part 66 and the cable from the drum part 74. The steel line 80 and electric cable or electric line 82 will unwind simultaneously and at substantially the same rate. At the same time the hoist line is released so that the magnet will fall at the desired location to pic-k up material.

As the drum apparatus rotates the contacts 92 and 94 will rotate but will maintain their electrical contact with the contacts 104 so that even though the drum mechanism or apparatus rotates electric current will be supplied to the electric line or cable 82 for operation of the magnet. shown in FIG. 3, the differential mechanism 132 is the same as that shown in FIG. 2. In the arrangement of FIG. 3 there is also a crank shaft, indicated generally at 168, and there are a pair of crank throws which are connected to respective pistons 210 by means of connecting rods 212 of the usual character. Pistons 210 reciprocate in the liners 214 which are secured in bores provided therefor in a block 216 which may be integral with housing 218 or may be a separate part secured to the housing 218. In any event the cylinder linings define cylinders which open into the interior of the housing 218 so that the pistons 210 may be reciprocated in said cylinders by means of the crank.

In this arrangement fluid is used to provide the desired resistance to the receiprocating movements of pistons 210 in their respective cylinders. The fluid used may be a liquid although a gas could be used. The liquid partly fills the housing 218 and may be an oil or a hydraulic fluid of any well known character.

The fluid connections for the respective cylinders are the same and the connections for but one cylinder will therefore be described. There is a passage 220 from the interior of the housing 218, said passage extending downwardly to an enlarged chamber 222 in which a check valve 224 is disposed for controlling the direction of flow of fluid through passage 220. A spring 226 reacts against the inner end of a threaded plug 228 disposed in the tapped outer end portion of chamber 222 and said ball valve 224 to urge same into seating engagement with a valve seat at the lower outer end of passage 220. A horizontal passage 230 extends from the chamber 222 to a bore 232 at right angles to said passage 230, said bore 232 having a connection 234 with the outer end of cylinder 214. There is a second horizontal passage, indicated at 236, which extends from the chamber 222 and connects with an enlarged portion or chamber 238 in which there is disposed a ball valve 240 urged into sealing engagement with a seat at the outer end of the passage 236. A plug 242 is threaded into a tapped outer end portion of the chamber 238 and there is a spring 244 which reacts between the plug 232 and ball 240 to urge said ball into seating engagement with the seat at the outer end of said passage 236. Chamber 238 is connected with the interior of the housing 218 by a vertical passage 246.

The above described passage arrangements and the check valve therefor it will be noted that when a piston moves upwardly in its cylinder fluid will be drawn from the interior of housing 218 through the passage 220 into the chamber 224, passage 230, bore 232 and connection 234. When this occurs the check valve 240 will prevent flow of fluid upwardly through passage 246. When the piston moves downwardly fluid will be forced through the connction 234, bore 232, passage 230-, passage 236, chamber 238, and passage 246 into the interior housing 218. By adjusting the force of the spring 244 with proper adjustment of the screw 242 the restriction on the flow of fluid from the cylinders will be controlled so that the movement of the pistons 210 are controlled and hence the rotation of the crank 168 and shaft 164 and consequently the rotation of the control drum 78.

Under some conditions it may be desirable to prevent the flow of fluid into and, or from the cylinders and this is effected by means of the solenoid valve mechanism indicated generally at 250. This mechanism includes a needle valve 252 at the upper end of the armature 254 disposed in the solenoid coil 256. The operation of this mechanism is of the usual well known character and when the solenoid coil 256 is energized the armature 254 is moved upwardly into sealing engagement with a valve seat 258 at the lower end of the connection 234. When the connections 234 of the cylinders 214 are closed the crank shaft 168 is held against movement so that maximum power and speed is imparted to the control drum 78.

The invention and its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof or sacrificing its material advantages, the arrangements hereinbefore described being merely by way of example, and I do not wish to be restricted to the specific forms shown or uses mentioned except as defined in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. In retrieving line mechanism for cranes and the like:

(A) a rotatably mounted shaft;

(B) a drum mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith;

(C) means separating said drum into a plurality of sections for operable reception of respective lines thereon, said means separating the drum into a pi rality of sections comprising (a) annular end plates secured on said shaft adjacent the ends thereof,

-(b) an intermediate plate secured on said shaft and spaced inwardly from each end plate and spaced apart from each other relative to the axis of said shaft,

(c) a cylindrical spacer secured axially to and between the respective end plates and adjacent plates,

(d) and a similar intermediate cylindrical spacer between the intermediate plates, said spacers being of greater diameter than the shaft and of smaller diameter than the diameter of the plates, lines being adapted to be wound on said spacers;

(D) power conducting means carried by said drum and rotatable therewith;

(E) and means providing an operable connection between said power conducting means carried by the drum and a source of power.

2. In retrieving line mechanism for cranes and the like:

(A) a rotatable mounted hollow shaft;

(B) a1 drum mounted on said shaft for rotation therewlt (C) means separating said drum into a plurality of sections for operable reception of respective lines thereon, said means separating the drum into a plurality of sections, comprising (a) annular end plates secured on said shaft adjacent the ends thereof,

(b) an intermediate plate secured on said shaft and spaced inwardly from each end plate and spaced apart from each other relative to the axis of said shaft,

(c) a cylindrical spacer secured axially to and between the respective end plates and adjacent plates,

(d) and a similar intermediate cylindrical spacer between the intermediate plates, said spacers being of greater diameter than the shaft and of smaller diameter than the diameter of the plates, there being a space between the intermediate spacer and the shaft and lines being adapted to be wound on said spacers;

(D) power conducting means including electric wires carried by said drum and rotatable therewith;

(E) and connecting means providing an operable connection between said power conducting means carried by the drum and a source of power, said connecting means including (a) a tubular sleeve of insulating material secured in the hollow shaft and having longitudinally extending slots therein, said shaft having corresponding slots therein inwardly of and adjacent to the respective intermediate plates, the slots of said tubular sleeve being in alignment with respective slots of the shaft,

(b) a fixed cylindrical electrical contact member disposed in the insulating sleeve and adjacent each end thereof, said insulating sleeve being rotatable relative to the fixed contact members, the fixed contact members having convex inner ends,

(c) a cylindrical inner contact member for each fixed contact member, the outer ends of the inner contact members being concave for reception of the convex inner ends of the fixed contact members,

((1) electrical contact elements extending through the respective slots of the shaft and insulating sleeve and secured to the inner contact members so that the latter rotate with the shaft and insulating sleeve, said electrical contact elements being positioned adjacent the inner ends of said slots,

(e) and means disposed between the inner contact members and yieldingly urging same outwardly into contact with the respective fixed contact members, the latter being adapted to be connected to a source of power.

3. The combination of: (A) a retrieving line mechanism, including (a) a rotatable mounted shaft;

(b) a drum mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith;

(c) means separating said drum into a plurality of sections for operable reception of respective lines thereon, said means separating the drum into a plurality of sections comprising (1) annular end plates secured on said shaft adjacent the ends thereof,

(2) an intermediate plate secured on said shaft and spaced inwardly from each end plate and spaced apart from each other relative to the axis of said shaft,

(3) a cylindrical spacer secured axially to and between the respective end plates and adjacent plates,

(5) and a similar intermediate cylindrical spacer between the intermediate plates, said spacers being of greater diameter than the shaft and of smaller diameter than the diameter of the plates, lines being adapted to be wound on said spacers;

((1) power conducting means carried by said drum and rotatable therewith;

(e) means providing an operable connection between said power conducting means carried by the drum and a source of power,

(B) and a crane having (a) a boom with a pulley at the outer free end, said retrieving line mechanism being mounted on said boom;

(b) a hoisting line connected at one end to a power operated hoisting line drum;

'(c) an electromagnet carried at the opposite end of said hoisting line;

(d) an electric line having an operable connection with said power conducting means and having a portion thereof wound on the intermediate section of the drum, the outer free portion of the electric line extending to the electromagnet and operably connected therewith;

(e) a line having a portion thereof wound on one of the end sections with a free portion extending to and connected with the electromagnet;

(f) a retrieving line having a portion wound on the other end section of the drum and having a portion extending to and wound on a power operated retrieving line drum;

(g) variable speed transmission means connected to the retrieving line drum for rotating same; (h) and means for permitting the retrieving line drum to rotate in a direction to effect quick unwinding of the retrieving line therefrom.

4. The invention defined by claim 3, including means for controlling the operation of the transmission means.

5. The invention defined by claim 4, wherein the transmission means comprises a differential mechanism having an input shaft and two output shafts, one of the latter being connected to the retrieving line drum; a pair of cylinders, a piston in each cylinder, a double throw crankshaft; connecting rods operably connecting the pistons to the crankshaft, said crankshaft being connected to the other output shaft; and means for controlling the reciprocation of the pistons in their cylinders.

6. The invention defined by claim 5, wherein the cylinders are oppositely arranged and the means for controlling the reciprocation of the pistons comprises spring means resisting movement of the pistons in one direction.

7. The invention defined by claim 5, wherein the cylinders are arranged in parallel with each other and the means for controlling the reciprocation of the pistons comprises a reservoir for fluid; intake passageway means and outlet passageway means connecting the reservoir with the cylinders; a check valve in one passageway means permitting flow to the cylinder but preventing fluid flow from the cylinder; a second check valve permitting fluid flow from the cylinder but preventing flow in the opposite direction.

8. The invention defined by claim 7, including means for varying the closing force of the check valves.

9. The invention defined by claim 7, including valve means for the cylinders for cutting off the flow of fluid between the cylinders and the reservoir.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,416,498 2/1947 Ruddock 191-122 2,486,167 10/1949 Jurasevich 191-122 2,645,432 7/1953 Grifiitts 191-122 1,432,844 10/1922 Douglas 339-171 1,978,734 10/1934 Apple.

2,964,876 12/1960 Bonanno 191-122 RICHARD E. AEGERTER, Primary Examiner.

HARVEY, C. HORNSBY, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

